Chapter 415: Five Elements Integration, Battle Array

A small Market in Jiang Kingdom.

“Qingluan Immortal City has changed hands. The new city lord, Bai Feng Immortal, was reportedly killed by a demonic cultivator.”

“No wonder the Heavenly Sword Sect has gone mad.”

A stunning beauty in a black gauzy dress with an otherworldly aura squinted as she read the Jade Slip in her hand.

This woman was Nangong Mili, disguised using the Mysterious Pearl.

She had come to Jiang Kingdom on a mission, intending to settle her grudge with Lu Changsheng along the way.

But as soon as she crossed the border of Jiang Kingdom, she was ambushed by the Heavenly Sword Sect.

If not for the Mysterious Pearl’s disguise, she would have nearly perished.

For this reason, she’s been extremely cautious since entering Jiang Kingdom, immediately contacting the Five Poison Sect’s informants within the Jiang Kingdom’s cultivation world to understand what’s going on.

“Which faction would dare do such a thing? This is a slap in the face to the Heavenly Sword Sect.”

Nangong Mili’s eyes shimmered with a deadly glint.

She hadn’t heard of this new city lord, Bai Feng Immortal.

But she knew that anyone who could become the lord of Qingluan Immortal City was no ordinary person.

Qingluan Immortal City lies between Jiang Kingdom and Yue Kingdom. Without the Heavenly Sword Sect’s approval, no one could hold this position securely.

But now, not long after taking office, this person has been slain by a demonic cultivator within Jiang Kingdom. Naturally, the Heavenly Sword Sect would be furious.

“Could it be that the news about the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm came from this faction, trying to cause chaos in Jiang Kingdom?”

“If that’s the case, the situation in the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm might be more complicated than the sect leader said. A trap could be already set there.”

Nangong Mili pondered over the situation, her expression growing serious.

Although she came to Jiang Kingdom primarily for Lu Changsheng,

She wouldn’t want to miss an opportunity like the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm.

Even if she couldn’t gain anything directly, obtaining useful information from it would still bring her significant rewards from this mission.

After thinking for a long time, Nangong Mili raised her hand, revealing another Jade Slip. She scanned its contents with her Divine Sense.

“Lu Changsheng, from the Qingyun region, affiliated with Bihu Mountain Lord, a Second-Tier Talisman Master and Second-Tier pill refiner, currently at mid-stage Foundation Establishment.”

“But due to his Talisman Making Inheritance, his strength far surpasses ordinary cultivators. Together with his wife, Lu Miaoge, they practice duallcultivation, and their combat strength rivals that of a False Core realm expert. They once defeated the Jin Family Elder of Jinlong Ridge just after he broke through to the False Core realm.”

“He has seven wives and forty-nine concubines, with over two hundred children. One of his sons, Lu Qingshan, was accepted by Immortal Tian Yuan of Golden Sun Sect in Yue Kingdom and is considered a Golden Core seed.”

As Nangong Mili looked at the image of Lu Changsheng in the Jade Slip, she felt increasingly annoyed.

Her long, jade-like fingers twitched with frustration, her expression icy and filled with killing intent.

Nangong Mili had always despised sharing anything. She liked to keep everything to herself.

Even though she had no real ties to Lu Changsheng in her heart,

Seeing him with so many wives, concubines, and children stirred up anger and irritation inside her.

“No wonder this man hadn’t checked in on Xiaochan for years, not even a letter. Turns out he was busy with so many wives and children!”

“This heartless, ungrateful man deserves to die!”

Nangong Mili’s eyes turned cold as ice, her gaze chilling.

While dozens of wives and concubines might not seem like much to her,

This kind of behavior made her inexplicably angry.

It felt as if someone had stolen her toy.

Especially since her disciple, Meng Xiaochan, had been hurt.

Although she hadn’t said much over the years, it was clear that Meng Xiaochan never stopped thinking about Lu Changsheng.

If Nangong Mili hadn’t kept her disciple by her side, making her take care of Nangong Yaoyao for an extended period, Meng Xiaochan might have already run off to Jiang Kingdom to find Lu Changsheng.

“All men deserve to die!”

Nangong Mili cursed again, her beautiful face as cold as an iceberg.

Afterward, Nangong Mili took out a map detailing the distribution of power within the Jiang Kingdom’s cultivation world, searching for the location of Bihu Mountain.

When she found its location, she frowned.

“Bihu Mountain is so close to the Azure Cloud Sect?”

Nangong Mili’s brows furrowed tightly.

Right now, the Heavenly Sword Sect is actively hunting down Golden Core experts attracted by the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm.

The four major immortal sects in Jiang Kingdom are closely aligned, and Azure Cloud Sect is likely on high alert as well.

Especially since the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm is located at the border between Azure Cloud Sect and Sunset Glow Sect. Entering this region would be extremely dangerous.

While abducting Lu Changsheng would be easy,

It would be extremely difficult to escape Jiang Kingdom with him safely.

Moreover, during their brief time together years ago, Lu Changsheng had nurtured her with a trace of Golden Core Dao Rhythm, and given her this Mysterious Pearl, making her realize he was anything but simple.

He was definitely not just a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator as the Jade Slip suggested.

“Years ago, this scoundrel broke through to mid-stage Foundation Establishment using my Profound Yin Jade Fluid.”

“So many years have passed; how could he still be at mid-stage Foundation Establishment?”

Nangong Mili’s eyes reflected a complicated mix of emotions as she softly bit her red lips, murmuring to herself.

“With the Mysterious Pearl, as long as I’m cautious, I should be fine.”

“First, I’ll check out the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm. If things don’t seem right, I’ll abandon it and go to Bihu Mountain.”

After thinking for a long time, Nangong Mili stood up. Her graceful, enchanting figure was wrapped in her black gauzy dress, accentuating her beauty.

She had always loved beauty.

Even while disguised by the Mysterious Pearl, her figure and face remained stunning, with a charm that could bring down empires.

Nangong Mili took out a black veil and covered her face, partially concealing her unparalleled beauty. Then, with a graceful stride, she left her Cave Dwelling.

Bihu Mountain.

“Twenty Late-Stage Qi Refining.”

Lu Changsheng heard the system prompt and felt the powerful surge of energy in his dantian. He sighed with emotion.

For most Foundation Establishment families, a Late-Stage Qi Refining cultivator was considered high-level combat power.

Sects like Qingzhu Mountain or Hundred Bird Lake usually had only about a dozen Late-Stage Qi Refining cultivators.

But now, among his own children, twenty have reached Late-Stage Qi Refining.

“I wonder how many of these twenty will successfully reach Foundation Establishment.”

Lu Changsheng sighed inwardly.

Although none in his family had failed to reach Foundation Establishment so far,

He knew that hoping for all his children to succeed in Foundation Establishment was nearly impossible.

For instance, his son Lu Yun had needed a High-Tier Breaking Stage Pill to break through from mid-stage to Late-Stage Qi Refining back then.

That kind of situation might affect his chances of breaking through to Foundation Establishment.

Lu Yun wasn’t the only one.

Many of his children with lower-Tier spirit roots had relied on High-Tier Breaking Stage Pills to reach Late-Stage Qi Refining.

Most of them had advanced to peak Qi Refining before sixty by relying on such pills.

After a moment of reflection, Lu Changsheng arrived at the peak of Biyun Peak and silently commanded, “System, draw the lottery.”

A light red virtual lottery wheel appeared and began spinning rapidly.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the technique ‘Five Elements Wheel Scripture’!]

[The reward has been placed in the system space. The host can view it at any time.]

An image of a Jade Scroll appeared, accompanied by the system prompt.

“A Five Elements technique?”

Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow, checking the system space for information about the technique.

[Technique: Five Elements Wheel Scripture]

[Grade: Orthodox Level]

[Description: A technique from the Five Elements Sect, focusing on the endless cycle of the five elements. It enables the condensation of a Great Five Elements True Wheel, a Five Elements Canopy, and the formation of a Five Elements Battle Array!]

“Just a Five Elements technique?”

Lu Changsheng felt unimpressed as he looked at the technique.

Although his family needed techniques to increase their foundation,

At this stage, they didn’t need techniques of this level.

What they needed were advanced, intricate, or even unconventional techniques.

For cultivators with lower-Tier spirit roots, practicing an orthodox-level technique was too difficult.

Intricate techniques were better suited for them.

Although the ‘Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Manual’ had been split into seven intricate sword techniques,

At present, few in the Lu Family had the mindset required to practice sword techniques.

So, Lu Changsheng had always wanted to acquire more techniques similar to the ‘Seven Luminaries Sword Scripture.’

“Inherit.”

With a thought, Lu Changsheng activated the ‘Five Elements Wheel Scripture.’

Suddenly, knowledge about the technique, its essentials, and insights flooded into Lu Changsheng’s mind as if drenched by a bucket of cold water.

After a while.

Lu Changsheng opened his eyes, his face filled with joy.

“Good, good! The system finally came through this time.”

Lu Changsheng was overjoyed.

He had been hoping for techniques similar to the ‘Seven Luminaries Sword Scripture,’

And this ‘Five Elements Wheel Scripture’ turned out to have five auxiliary techniques.

These are ‘Golden Light Wheel Skill’, ‘Armor Wood Wheel Skill’, ‘Black Water Wheel Skill’, ‘Separation Fire Wheel Skill’, ‘Dextrous Earth Wheel Skill.’

All five are intricate techniques.

But unlike most intricate techniques,

These five techniques can only be cultivated until Foundation Establishment, with no potential for reaching Golden Core.

To break through to the Golden Core, multiple techniques must be practiced simultaneously.

Following the elemental cycle: metal generates water, water generates wood, wood generates fire, fire generates earth, and earth generates metal.

‘Golden Light Wheel Skill’ practitioners at Foundation Establishment can also practice ‘Black Water Wheel Skill’ to strengthen their foundation.

After mastering ‘Black Water Wheel Skill’, they can practice ‘Armor Wood Wheel Skill’ to further build their foundation.

Only after mastering two techniques would they have a chance of reaching Golden Core.

If they could master all five techniques, completing the elemental cycle, the odds of reaching Golden Core would increase significantly!

For this reason, this technique makes breaking through to Foundation Establishment much easier, with a success rate two to three times higher than ordinary techniques.

But after achieving Foundation Establishment, breaking through to Golden Core would be extremely difficult!

Post-Golden Core stage, the elemental forces rotate seamlessly into ‘Five Elements Wheel Skill.’

The reason the Five Elements Sect created these five techniques wasn’t just to lower the entry barrier so that most disciples could cultivate, but also to enhance the sect’s collective combat power!

Practitioners of ‘Five Elements Wheel Skill’ can conjure their true wheel and form a Five Elements Battle Array with cultivators of these five techniques!

This battle array functions similarly to arrays used by Dao Soldiers.

In fact, these five techniques were designed to train ordinary disciples as Dao Soldiers, making them progressively harder to master.

If someone with extraordinary talent could master all five techniques and break through to Golden Core, the sect would be willing to invest heavily in cultivating them.

“These five techniques may make it nearly impossible to reach Golden Core, but the success rate for breaking through to Foundation Establishment is significantly higher.”

“Even for lower-Tier spirit roots, practicing these techniques, combined with a Foundation Establishment Pill, could yield a fifty to sixty percent chance of breaking through.”

Lu Changsheng took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

The strengths and weaknesses of this technique were glaringly obvious.

It prioritized early gains by sacrificing long-term success.

Unless someone had exceptional talent or great opportunities, simultaneously mastering all five techniques and reaching Golden Core would be almost impossible.

Any cultivator with such talent would likely choose not to practice these techniques.

“The Great Five Elements True Wheel, the Five Elements Battle Array…”

“I’ve heard that in times of war and invasion, sects would often train rogue cultivators and family forces in battle arrays, enhancing their combat power.”

Lu Changsheng quietly mulled over this in his mind.

He had only a basic understanding of battle arrays, but this ‘Five Elements Wheel Scripture’ provided him with more insights.

For example, a typical Foundation Establishment cultivator wouldn’t stand a chance against a Golden Core expert.

But a Foundation Establishment cultivator practicing the ‘Five Elements Wheel Scripture’ who formed a battle array with ten others using the auxiliary techniques might be able to hold their own against a Golden Core expert.

If they faced an unarmed Golden Core cultivator or even a False Core cultivator,

They might even have a chance for the Foundation Establishment to defeat the Golden Core.

“These five techniques should be placed in the family’s Scripture Library as a priority choice for those with lower-Tier spirit roots.”

Lu Changsheng looked out at the misty expanse of Bishui Lake and sighed softly.

The possibility of reaching Golden Core was slim for those with lower-Tier spirit roots.

Although practicing this technique cut off the path to Golden Core, it increased the chances of reaching Foundation Establishment.

If they couldn’t reach Foundation Establishment, how could they even dream of Golden Core?

Moreover, Lu Changsheng never believed that all his children would reach Foundation Establishment, even with his guidance.

Even though they had plenty of Foundation Establishment Pills, he couldn’t afford to give each child multiple chances.

Once they tried and failed, they would have to rely on their efforts and performance.

After all, having a decent supply of Foundation Establishment Pills didn’t mean his family had enough Spirit Stones to lavish everyone.

Especially since his grandchildren had also started cultivating and needed resources.

He couldn’t support everyone fully.

He didn’t have the capacity or time for that.

“I wonder how the ‘Five Elements Wheel Scripture’ compares to the Five Elements Wang Family’s inheritance technique?”

At that moment, Lu Changsheng suddenly thought of the Wang Family, one of the three great Golden Core families in Jiang Kingdom.

The Wang Family’s original Golden Core Elder was renowned in Jiang Kingdom for his mastery of the Five Elements.

“If a member of my family could be born with a Five Elements Constitution and master this ‘Five Elements Wheel Scripture,’ wouldn’t the reputation of the Five Elements be claimed by the Lu Family in the future?”

Lu Changsheng stroked his chin, finding the idea of his family producing a cultivator with a Five Elements Constitution, known for their mastery of Five Elements techniques, amusing.

“But if that were to happen, the Wang Family’s title probably wouldn’t exist anymore.”

Lu Changsheng chuckled, shaking his head.

The Wang Family had long since fallen into decline.

He had heard that the Wang Family’s reputation had plummeted after the Xu Family Elder destroyed their ancestral gate.

Over the years, their territory had been gradually eaten away by other forces.

He figured that once the Wang Family’s Golden Core Elder died, the family would no longer be considered one of the great families.

Lu Changsheng then visited Sumeru Cave Heaven to check on his children undergoing medicinal baths.

Lu Ping’an was still in the middle of his medicinal bath, hoping to break through the eighth level of the Hundred Refined Body Technique.

Lu Lingxiao had a solid foundation and was still enhancing himself through the medicinal bath.

Lu Yun, Lu Caizhen, and Lu Qingsong had already finished their baths.

However, staying in the bath too long wasn’t ideal.

Once their bodies reached a limit, it would become difficult to absorb more medicinal energy.

If too much medicinal energy accumulated in their bodies without being refined, it could even cause damage.

“Who will go first?”

Lu Changsheng asked his children.

To ensure their success in Foundation Establishment, he would use Yin-Yang Essence to assist them.

But the Yin-Yang Essence took time to recover.

So, they couldn’t all establish their foundations at the same time. They had to take turns.

The four of them exchanged glances. After a moment, Lu Qingsong stepped forward and said, “Father, I’ll go first.”

“Alright.”

Lu Changsheng glanced at Lu Yun and Lu Caizhen, who seemed nervous, and nodded.

He then handed a Top-Tier Foundation Establishment Pill to Lu Qingsong.

Although Lu Qingshan had given him some Foundation Establishment Pills,

They were all ordinary quality.

And he, as their father, couldn’t just let them use those without providing any more support.

“Thank you, Father.”

Lu Qingsong accepted the Foundation Establishment Pill, sat down cross-legged, and began preparing to establish his foundation.

“You can observe from the side.”

Lu Changsheng told the other three.

“Yes, Father.”

The three nodded.

Even though they had already memorized the process of Foundation Establishment,

They still wanted to observe how others established their foundations to gain more insight.

And so, time slowly passed.

Lu Qingsong quietly adjusted his state.

The process was quite tedious. Lu Changsheng didn’t stay to watch but went off to spend time with his wives and concubines instead.

He simply instructed Sumeru to notify him once Lu Qingsong had successfully passed the three critical stages of Foundation Establishment.